To many in the industry, it looks as though the worm has turned and lower rates are a sure thing, thanks to recent benign inflation readings. But maybe not and that’s why CHLA is continuing its efforts regarding MBS buyers and more.

More punitive capital treatment of commercial real estate under Basel III could prove to be a boon for CMBS issuance.

The red-hot vehicle ABS market saw intense competition between S&P and Fitch for ratings supremacy. Kroll rode the resurgent ECM MBS market to boost its share of rated issuance. (Includes two data tables.)

Bank of America Global Research is projecting an increase in agency MBS issuance next year despite muted demand from banks.

REIT values can rise and fall depending on interest-rate swings. The good news is that rates have steadily dropped the past five weeks. The bad news: A rate cut by the Fed will need a recession to occur first.

Capitol Federal Savings Bank took a loss of about $200 million on the sale of $1.3 billion of securities (largely MBS) with low interest rates. The bank reinvested the proceeds in higher-yielding assets and paid off some debts. Pacific Premier Bank made a similar move this week.

MBS creation is weak thanks to high mortgage rates and anemic refis but one positive for the market is the October increase in agency trading volumes. A real sign of hope or a head fake?

The Federal Reserve’s push to run MBS off of its balance sheet may cause interest rates to stay high even after quantitative tightening measures cease.

Mortgage industry trade groups continue to pressure the Biden administration to intervene in the MBS market to help struggling homebuyers overcome high interest rates and low supply.

Banks make fewer jumbo mortgages in regions with poor flood mapping, but securitizable conventional lending appears unaffected.